38 Londres Street – Philippe Sands

Description

38 Londres Street by Philippe Sands is a gripping blend of legal history, memoir, and investigative travelogue, tracing the intertwined fates of two of the twentieth century’s most notorious criminals. Sands takes readers from the halls of Nuremberg to the courtroom drama of Augusto Pinochet’s arrest in London, exploring questions of accountability, universal jurisdiction, and the limits of impunity. Along the way, he uncovers a startling connection between Pinochet and Nazi SS-Commander Walter Rauff, who later lived quietly in Chile, revealing a chilling narrative of power, crime, and justice spanning decades.

Drawing on his own experiences as a barrister for Human Rights Watch during the Pinochet trial, Sands vividly recounts the legal battles, historical research, and journeys across continents that illuminate these extraordinary cases. He examines the moral and legal challenges of bringing former heads of state and war criminals to justice, weaving together courtroom strategy, historical evidence, and personal reflection to create a compelling narrative that is both intellectually rigorous and intensely human.

A fascinating read for anyone interested in legal history, human rights, or twentieth-century atrocities, 38 Londres Street provides an enthralling account of how justice can confront power and impunity across generations.